Method and apparatus for forming tapered metal container bodies

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming tapered metal container bodies from relatively hard material having a Rockwell hardness within the range of 73 and 79. A disc-shaped blank is formed into a cup having an integral bottom wall and cylindrical sidewall, wherein the sidewall has an axial height generally equal to one-half the axial height of the desired final container body without thinning the metal. The cup is then redrawn at a first redraw station to form a first stage container body having the desired axial height and bottom wall diameter with the sidewall being cylindrical or having a very slight taper. This first stage container body is then redrawn at a second redraw station to impart a taper of between 2.degree. and 4.degree. to the sidewall without affecting the axial height of the sidewall or the metal thickness thereof. The apparatus includes a draw station and at least two redrawn stations and may include a die for profiling the bottom wall of the final container body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.